SRINAGAR: A Delhi court on Wednesday convicted Kashmiri separatist leader and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Hindustan Times reported.
According to The Indian Express, Additional Sessions Judge Chanderjit Singh held Andrabi guilty under Sections 18 (conspiracy) and 38 (membership of a terrorist organisation) of the UAPA. The court said the question of sentencing would be taken up on January 17.
The case was registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which accused Andrabi of waging war against the country through hate speeches and of being part of a criminal conspiracy aimed at promoting secessionist activities. Two of her associates were also named in the case.
Andrabi founded the all-women separatist outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat in 1987. She was arrested in April 2018 during a broader crackdown on separatist networks in Jammu and Kashmir, following which the organisation was banned under the UAPA.
During the trial, the NIA argued that Andrabi played a central role in spreading secessionist ideology and sustaining terror-linked activities through speeches, meetings and organisational work.
With the verdict now delivered, the court is scheduled to hear arguments on the quantum of punishment before pronouncing the sentence under the relevant provisions of the UAPA.
